Police were called to the apartment in the city's West End neighbourhood around 7 p.m. and found the injured men and women on several different floors and the suspect in one of the suites.

"We believe the suspect was running through the halls in the building with a knife," Vancouver police Sgt. Randy Fincham said.

One woman in her 20s was in critical condition Friday afternoon.

A cop was assaulted while arresting the suspect, but not seriously injured.

Three men and three women were seriously hurt and brought to hospital. The seventh victim, a man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

"It was fairly chaotic when police got there. There were a number of victims who had serious injuries," Fincham said.

The victims were found on multiple floors and residents were asked to stay in their apartments as police investigated throughout the night.

By mid-morning Friday, two of the victims were released from hospital.

Witnesses told investigators they heard screaming in the halls.

The victims range in age from their 20s to their 60s.

Fincham said it doesn't appear the suspect lived in the building. Officers are investigating how he got inside.

Police are looking into whether drugs, alcohol or mental-health issues played a role in the attacks. Investigators are interviewing the suspect to determine a possible motive.

The suspect, Suspect Jerome Bonneric is charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of assault with a weapon, three counts of common assault and one count of assaulting a police officer.